Combination carrying case and wig stand

ABSTRACT

A hollow structure having an exterior crown-shaped portion for supporting a wig in its natural shape for display and/or dressing and a neck-shaped portion for holding the structure upright. The crown-shaped portion is preferably comprised of a material which permits pins to be inserted into it to enable fastening the wig thereto and has applied to its surface flock. The neck may be provided with a suction cup to fix it to a supporting structure. The interior provides a storage space for holding a wig or other article or articles and the structure is divided to provide access to the storage space. The entire structure is of such size and shape as to be imitative of a pouch and is adapted to be suspended on a sling so that it may be carried about as would a woman&#39;&#39;s handbag.

United States Patent 11 1 Kartiganer 1 1 Aug. 7, 1973 [75] Inventor: Norman Kartiganer, Worcester,

Mass.

[73] Assignee: Norman Kartiganer lnc., Manchaug,

Mass.

[22] Filed: June 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 151,358

150/33; 190/57; 206/46 FC; 220/4 E, 4 B; 223/66, 88, 98; 224/45 R, 45 C, 45 D, 45 H;

229/52 AL, 52 AC {56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,784,512 3/1957 Goodwin 229/52 AC X 3,441,182 4/1969 Gregory 206/8 X 3,484,015 12/1969 Rowan 220/4 E 3,515,318 6/1970 Preble 208/8 UX 3,155,264 11/1964 Shook 150/33 X 3,327,842 6/1967 Meredith et a1. 206/8 X 2,464,069 3/1949 Benson 150/11 X 3,342,478 9/1967 Shaw et al. 206/8 X 2,590,738 3/1952 Tufts 223/98 3,288,415 11/1966 Eickhoff 223/66 X 3,485,250 12/1969 Brown, Jr. 223/66 X 3,310,267 3/1967 Koehler 2 06/8 UX 3,197,093 7/1965 Doran 223/66 3,658,174 4/1972 Friedman 206/8 Primary Examiner-Herbert F. Ross Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman Attorney-Sewall P. Bronstein, John D. Woodberry, Robert T. Gammons, Donald Brown, Robert L. Goldberg and Robert F. OConnell [57] ABSTRACT A hollow structure having an exterior crown-shaped portion for supporting a wig in its natural shape for display and/or dressing and a neck-shaped portion for holding the structure upright. The crown-shaped portion is preferably comprised of a material which permits pins to be inserted into it to enable fastening the wig thereto and has applied to its surface flock. The neck may be provided with a suction cup to fix it to a supporting structure. The interior provides a storage space for holding a wig or other article or articles and the structure is divided to provide access to the storage space. The entire structure is of such size and shape as to be imitative of a pouch and is adapted to be suspended on a sling so that it may be carried about as would a womans handbag.

6 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PAIENIEU 71975 3. 750,869

FIGI?) FIGIO FIGM COMBINATION CARRYING CASE AND WIG STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wig carrying cases of various kinds provided with Wig stands are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,515,318, 3,465,926, 3,433,395 and 3,257,048. Of these patents, US. Pat. No. 3,515,3l8 discloses a crown-shaped member mounted on a post provided with a base so that by collapsing the post the crown may form with the base a carrying case. The crown is comprised of Styrofoam to enable fastening the wig to the crown. A wig stand provided with a crown-like portion comprised of polystyrene for supporting a wig so that a wig may be securely fastened thereto by pins inserted into the crown is also shown in US. Pat. No. 3,44l,l82. The provision of suction cups at the base of a wig stand for securely supporting it in an upright position is shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,310,267 and 3,464,150. This invention is concerned with an improved combination carrying case and wig stand which, while embodying some of the features of the aforesaid patents, comprises, on the one hand, a supporting stand on which the wig may be supported for display and/or dressing and, on the other hand, a carrying case for carrying the wig about in a folded condition. Additionally the structure may be used for such general purposes as a carrying case, tote bag and cosmetic case; display stand for jewelry and millinery; floral display bowl, candy bowl and ice bucket.

SUMMARY As herein illustrated, the invention comprises a combination carrying case and stand for a wig comprising a hollow structure, the interior of which defines a storage space of a size to hold a folded wig and/or other articles and an exterior embodying a crown-shaped portion having a contour corresponding in configuration to the interior of the wig as when worn for supporting the wig for display in its natural shape and a neck portion adapted to support the crown-shaped portion in an upright position of stable equilibrium. The crown-shaped portion is preferably comprised of an expanded plastic or its equivalent such as to enable inserting pins into it to fasten the wig to the surface. The neck portion has a base and may be provided with a device for securing it to a supporting structure. The structure is divided to enable separating the crown-shaped portion from the neck portion for access to the interior and the parts are mounted on a sling such as to hold the parts into engagement and carry them suspended at the lower end of the sling after the fashion of a handbag while permitting their separation to provide for access to the interior. When used as a wig stand and other display purposes the sling may be unfastened and either folded back or removed.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the combination carrying case and wig stand supported in an upright position having a wig thereon illustrated in dashed lines;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken diametrically of FIG. 1 showing the combination carrying case and stand;

FIG. 3 is an elevation, to smaller scale, showing the combination carrying case and wig stand provided with a sling by means of which it may be carried in suspension after the fashion of a tote case or handbag;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of the combination wig, case and stand showing an alternative form of sling by means of which it may be carried about with either end up shown in an inverted position;

FIG. 5 is a section correspond to FIG. 2 showing still another form of sling with the structure supported in an upright position;

FIG. 6 is a section corresponding to FIG. 5 showing the structure supported by the sling in an inverted position;

FIG. 7 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the crown-shaped portion comprised of expanded plastic and the entire surface flocked.

FIG. 8 is an elevation showing the top part hinged to the bottom part;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section showing the crown-shaped portion comprised of expanded plastic and the neck comprised of rigid plastic;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section showing the formation of the flock in holding the parts engaged;

FIG. II is a fragmentary section showing latch means for holding the parts interengaged;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary section showing a contractible band for holding the parts interengaged;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary section at the base of the structure showing means including a suction cup for securing it to a supporting surface; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary section at the base of the structure showing a clamp for securing it to a supporting surface.

Referring to the drawings, the combination carrying case and wig stand is a hollow structure comprising a crown-shaped portion 10 supported in an upright position by a neck-shaped portion 12. The crown-shaped. portion is generally spherically contoured to support a wig 14 in the shape it would normally have when worn for display purposes and/or dressing or for supporting it following dressing until it is to be worn.

The crown-shaped portion lit) is comprised of an expanded plastic, for example polystyrene or polyurethane, as shown in FIG. '7, so that pins may be inserted through the wig into it to secure the wig thereto. The neck-shaped portion H2 is preferably comprised of a rigid plastic, although it too may also be comprised of an expanded plastic and is provided with a flat base 16 for supporting the structure in an upright position with the crown-shaped portion uppermost. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 13, the base 16 may contain a centrally located conical aperture 18 for receiving the upper end of a post 20, to the lower end of which is fixed a vacuum cup 22 by means of which the structure may be securely fastened to a supporting structure such as the surface of a; bureau, dressing table, or the like. Instead of a vacuum cup a spring clamp 224 may be fixed to the lower end of the post 20 as shown in FIG. I4.

Desirably, but not necessarily, the exterior surface of the crown It), as shown in FIG. 7, may have applied to it a layer of flock fibers 25 which provide a soft plushlike surface which contributes to the attractiveness of the structureas a carrying case, as will appear hereinafter, and has the functional capacity of frictionally resisting slipping of the wig when disposed on the crown; The neck portion 12 may also be flocked. The flock may be of any suitable color and the colors on the two parts may be of the same or of contrasting kind. Preferably the flock is applied electrostatically so as to stand on end perpendicular to the surface; however, it may be sprayed on the surface so that it lies prone.

The structure comprising the crown-shaped part and the neck-shaped part 12 is divided intermediate the top and base of the structure, as shown in FIG. 2, to provide access to the interior, the parts collectively defining a storage space 24 of a size such as to accommodate a folded wig and other articles for carrying. The confronting edges of the parts 10 and 12 have telescopically interengageable shoulders 26 and 28 frictionally engaged so as normally to hold the parts together but permitting separation for access to the interior.

The parts 10 and 12 may be used collectively for purposes other than a wig stand as, for example, because of the insulated character of the structure, an ice bucket, and with the part 10 removed the part 12 may be used as a receptacle, for example, for displaying jewelry, for holding candy and for a floral display.

If desired, the part 10 may be joined to the part 12 by a hinge 30 so as to enable tilting the part 10 upwardly from the part 12, as shown in FIG. 8, to an open position to expose articles within the part 12. Desirably the parts 10 and 12 are lined with an attractive lining material, for example the interior may be flocked as are the exterior surfaces.

To enable using the structure as a carrying case a sling is provided, one such sling being shown in FIG. 3. The sling comprises straps 31-31 secured at their lower ends to the base, for example, by a peripheral band 33. The upper end of one strap 31 has secured to it a ring or loop 35. The other strap is longer and is threaded through the ring and has at its upper end a loop 37 by means of which the structure may be held to carry it in suspension. The engagement of the band 31-31 by constriction about the parts hold them togcther. When the entire surface of the structure is flocked the bands will remain securely in place without slipping on the curved surfaces. However, if the surfaces are not flocked it is desirable to provide the inner surfaces of the straps with a frictional surface, for example a rubberized coating or the like. When the structure is to be used as a wig stand the longer of the straps may be withdrawn from the ring 35 and the two straps laid back away from the crown-shaped portion.

A second form of sling is shown in FIG. 4 comprising a cord 32 on which the parts are slidably mounted, the part 10 for this purpose containing a centrally located hole 34 and the part 12 a centrally located hole 36. The cord 32 passes through the parts, protruding from the top of the part 10 and the bottom of the part 12, the protruding parts being provided with handles 38 and 40 which alternately may be used to support the structure in an inverted position such as shown in FIG. 4, or in an upright position. In either position the parts are normally held interengaged on the sling by frictional engagement of the shoulders 26 and 28 so that the structure serves as a tote case or handbag, while permitting the upper part, according to its position, to be disengaged from the lower part for access to the interior. As illustrated, recesses 42 and 44 may be provided in the surfaces of the parts 10 and 12 to accommodate the handle means 38 and 40 respectively, so that when the structure is used for a wig support the handles will not interfere with disposition of the wig on the part 10 or setting of the part 12 on a supporting surface. The recesses 42 and 44 may be omitted and the sling folded within the scope back or removed when the structure is being used as a wig stand or as a container.

To avoid the interior obstruction caused by disposition of the sling centrally of the structure, as shown in FIG. 4, a sling 46 may be employed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, comprising cords 48-48 threaded through openings 50-50 in the part 10 and openings 52-52 in the part 12. The protruding ends of the cords 48-48 at the upper end and at the lower end are connected and the parts are adapted to slide along the cords so as to be supported at either end in an upright position as shown in FIG. 5, or in an inverted position as shown in FIG. 6. Finger recesses 54-54 may be provided in the part 10 where the cords 48-48 enter the part 10 to facilitate grasping the part 10 for the purpose of disengaging it from the part 12. In either position the uppermost part may be disengaged from the lower part to provide easy access to the interior.

The slings as shown, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, may comprise straps, ropes or other suitable flexible material or may comprise chains.

In order to enhance the frictional interengagement of the parts to hold them together the interengaging surfaces may be roughened. An especially effective means for providing frictional interengagement of the parts is to flock the interengaging surfaces as shown in the greatly enlarged fragmentary section of FIG. 10. Application of flock 25 to these surfaces electrostatically provides upstanding fibers which intermesh with each other and provide a very effective holding power between the parts. Fibers applied by spraying so that they lie prone would also provide a degree of frictional interengagement.

Other means may be provided for holding the parts together, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, flexible latch members 55 comprised, for example, of plastic secured at their lower ends to the part 12 and pressed over small knobs 57 of the upper part at diametrically disposed sides of the structure may be employed. Still another form of holding means is shown in FIG. 12 comprising a flexible band 56 adapted to be placed about the parts astride the shoulders 26 and 28, the ends of which are adapted to be drawn together by a conventional toggle linkage. To secure the band 56 in this position its opposite edges are provided with ribs 58-58 adapted to be engaged with grooves 62-62 provided in the parts 10 and 12 respectively.

If desired, as shown in FIG. 9, the part 12 may be comprised of a rigid plastic which is of lesser thickness than the part 10. It is also within the scope of the invention to make the parts 10 and 12 of any plastic material suitable for the purpose, expanded or unexpanded, and decorated interiorly and/or exteriorly.

The structure as thus described is comparatively small, being comparable in size with the current handbags, is pouch-shaped and accordingly of an acceptable configuration for use as a tote case, handbag, or the like, and yet is adapted for use as a wig stand.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents falling of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination carrying case and display stand comprising hollow parts having open sides which when mutually engaged define a structure having an interior storage space for an article of manufacture, one of said parts providing an exterior display surface of a predetermined configuration such as to be complementary to the article to be displayed and the other a base having a flat surface upon which the structure is adapted to rest in an upright position for supporting the structure with the display surface uppermost when used as a stand, telescopically interengageable shoulder portions at the open sides of the parts which are roughened to frictionally hold the parts interengaged, and means comprising a sling fastened to one of the parts slidingly engaged with the other of said parts for supporting the parts interengaged when carrying the case in suspension while permitting one part to be separated from the other to afford access to the interior.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein a flock layer is applied to the surface of the part providing the display surface.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein a flock layer is applied to the surface of the part providing the display surface with the fibers of the flock standing perpendicular to said surface.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the part providing the base contains in its flat surface a centrally located socket, and a spindle is adapted to be engaged at one end within the socket, said spindle being provided at its other end with a clamp by means of which the structure is adapted to be fastened to a support.

5. A combination carrying case and display stand comprising hollow parts having open sides which when interengaged define a structure having an interior storage space for an article of manufacture, one of said parts providing an exterior display surface of a predetermined configuration such as to be complementary to the article to be displayed and the other a base having a flat surface upon which the structure is adapted to rest in an upright position for supporting the structure with the display surface uppermost when used as a stand, telescopically interengageable shoulder portions at the open sides of the two parts, flock adhered to the interengaging surface portions of said shoulders for frictionally holding the parts interengaged, and means comprising a sling fastened to one of the parts and slidably engaged with the other of said parts for supporting the parts interengaged when carrying the case in suspension while permitting one part to be separated from the other to afford access to the interior.

6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the interiors of the parts are covered with a flock layer 

1. A combination carrying case and display stand comprising hollow parts having open sides which when mutually engaged define a structure having an interior storage space for an article of manufacture, one of said parts providing an exterior display surface of a predetermined configuration such as to be complementary to the article to be displayed and the other a base having a flat surface upon which the structure is adapted to rest in an upright position for supporting the structure with the display surface uppermost when used as a stand, telescopically interengageable shoulder portions at the open sides of the Parts which are roughened to frictionally hold the parts interengaged, and means comprising a sling fastened to one of the parts slidingly engaged with the other of said parts for supporting the parts interengaged when carrying the case in suspension while permitting one part to be separated from the other to afford access to the interior.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein a flock layer is applied to the surface of the part providing the display surface.
 3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein a flock layer is applied to the surface of the part providing the display surface with the fibers of the flock standing perpendicular to said surface.
 4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the part providing the base contains in its flat surface a centrally located socket, and a spindle is adapted to be engaged at one end within the socket, said spindle being provided at its other end with a clamp by means of which the structure is adapted to be fastened to a support.
 5. A combination carrying case and display stand comprising hollow parts having open sides which when interengaged define a structure having an interior storage space for an article of manufacture, one of said parts providing an exterior display surface of a predetermined configuration such as to be complementary to the article to be displayed and the other a base having a flat surface upon which the structure is adapted to rest in an upright position for supporting the structure with the display surface uppermost when used as a stand, telescopically interengageable shoulder portions at the open sides of the two parts, flock adhered to the interengaging surface portions of said shoulders for frictionally holding the parts interengaged, and means comprising a sling fastened to one of the parts and slidably engaged with the other of said parts for supporting the parts interengaged when carrying the case in suspension while permitting one part to be separated from the other to afford access to the interior.
 6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the interiors of the parts are covered with a flock layer. 